Increasing capacity of NGOs to contract with SENASA
SHOPS Plus supported select non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to become contracted providers with Seguro Nacional de Salud (SENASA), the public health insurance company. Building on work started under the Abt Associates-led Health Finance and Governance Project, SHOPS Plus identified accessing insurance payments for comprehensive health services, including HIV, as a key strategy for the financial sustainability of the NGOs. However, in order to contract with SENASA, service providers must comply with regulations on infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and certifications. Only 53 percent of health facilities in the Dominican Republic are certified and empaneled.
The project conducted a comprehensive diagnosis of the barriers, requirements, and procedures necessary for any NGO to sign contracts with SENASA. SHOPS Plus identified strategies to resolve them and successfully supported five NGOs to become compliant with contracting requirements. The project hosted a joint meeting with the NGOs that culminated in SENASA agreeing to contract all five. Three NGOs have signed contracts with SENASA, and SHOPS Plus is working with the other two to do the same.
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